Internship and Career Planning

Internships and Co-ops

The School of Accountancy encourages everyone to intern or co-op at least once during their undergraduate program. Internships and co-ops in public accounting are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Industry, government and not-for-profit internships are usually summer experiences.

Ideally, students should complete two internships or a co-op experience: one in industry, government or a not-for-profit entity during the summer between their junior and senior years and another in public accounting in the Spring semester of their senior year. These experiences will help you decide whether to begin your professional career in industry, government, not-for-profit or public accounting.

Three hours of internship credit are available through ACCT 3990 or LAW 3990. Students must register for the internship course (ACCT 3990 or LAW 3990) before the last day to add a class for the semester.

Questions about accounting internships and co-ops should be addressed to Amy Littleton, 432 Wilbur O. and Ann Powers Hall, 864-656-3245.

Internship and Co-op Interviews

Companies interviewing for internships usually arrange to interview through the Center for Career and Professional Development. To be considered for an interview, you must attend a career center workshop, publish your resume on ClemsonJobLink and indicate with whom you would like to interview. Internship providers receive your resume from ClemsonJobLink and, from the resumes provided, select the candidates they wish to interview. Please be advised that each interview has deadlines for filing a request to be considered for an interview. For more information, consult the career center website.

Co-op interviews and experiences are coordinated through the Cooperative Education Program in the Center for Career and Professional Development. Normally, co-op students complete two semesters of full-time work with back-to-back rotations or alternating between class and work. For more information, please contact the Co-op program.

Career Planning

Watch this video about the different degree plans and career paths available with an accounting degree!

Job offers will not come to you unless you prepare and search. Your preparation begins your first year and continues until you receive your degree(s). You are currently "writing" your resume through your selection of coursework, activities and work experience. You want to "write" a resume that will distinguish you, get you noticed by recruiters and bring you interviews. Careers do not happen; they are made!

Resources:

• ClemsonJobLink - Find step-by-step instructions on registering with ClemsonJobLink, creating your profile, uploading documents, searching for job opportunities, applying for a position, signing up for on-campus interviews and finding employer information sessions.
• Accounting Career Paths - This link takes you to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) website "Start Here Go Places." This website is designed to introduce the accounting profession to high school and college students. It is a good source of information about the accounting profession.
• Accounting Certifications - This website identifies some of the different accounting certifications that may be obtained through education, testing and/or experience. These certifications are described, and links are given to their sponsoring organizations, where they are described in more detail, along with providing the educational, testing and/or experience required to obtain the certification.
• Becoming a CPA in South Carolina - This page describes South Carolina's requirements for becoming licensed as a CPA. Please note that each CPA jurisdiction (typically a state) has its own education and experience requirements.
• Free AICPA Student Membership - This link takes you to the AICPA website, where you may register as a student member (no membership fee).

Career Engagement Resources

The Office of Career Engagement in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business offers many resources for business students.

• Business JobLink is your connection to job and internship postings exclusive to business students.
• Career Suite (C-Suite) - Drop in Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to speak with industry professionals for insights on career development, networking and navigating the job market. No appointment needed - just stop in!
• C-Suite Calendar - See who is scheduled in the C-Suite each day.
• OCE career advising - Schedule one-on-one career counseling appointments through CU Navigate for resume/LinkedIn review, interview preparation, job/internship search, networking advice, mock interviews and more.
• Business Mentoring - Includes Peer-to-Peer and Professional-to-Student mentoring as well as the Clemson Business Mentoring LinkedIn community hub.
• College networking events and workshops - Our business student events calendar lists events where students can connect with employers to build relationships and network with employers that may lead to internships or jobs.
• Career and professional resources - Access professional development tools anytime.
• OCE weekly newsletter - Automatically sent to all business students every Monday during the fall and spring semesters. Parents can sign up to receive the newsletter.
• The Center for Career and Professional Development offers additional career resources regarding a change of major, career assessment and the Career Closet.